Marriage and divorce rates are always changing in the United States. For example, people are now getting married later than they used to, often putting it off until they are in their 30s.
This has had an impact on the divorce rate. For most age groups, divorce rates are falling and have been for a while. The delay of marriage is sometimes credited for this, as getting married at an older age can create more stable relationships. Another potential reason is cohabitation. Previous generations were less likely to live together before marriage, but it is now very common, meaning that these couples don’t feel the need to rush into a marriage first.
The rise of gray divorce
But the only age group for whom the divorce rate is going up are those who are 50 years old and older. This is often referred to as “gray divorce.” Every year, it becomes a little bit more common as more of these marriages end.
Once again, there are multiple factors to consider. Perhaps some of these individuals got married when there was more of a negative social stigma around divorce, so they only feel comfortable getting divorced now. Another thing to keep in mind is that second marriages tend to have a higher divorce rate than first marriages. Those who are in their 50s or older are more likely to already be in a second marriage, which means they’re also more likely to get divorced.
Ending a marriage
At this age, the specifics of a divorce can get very complicated, especially when it comes to financial assets. Those who are involved in the process need to know exactly what legal steps to take.
